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Department of Biosciences

MSc Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise

Our taught Masters programme provides essential learning, expertise and business skills for the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.

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Invertebrate pests on a leaf

Postgraduate Study

Biosciences is a vibrant, research-led department with a focus on the science underpinning global challenges. 

We support a broad-based, sustainability-centred research strategy, informed by scientific advances and national and international priorities. We focus on the science underpinning global challenges in climate change, food security, global health, sustainable bio-manufacturing, biodiversity and replacing animal models in research. In this time of change the study of the biosciences has never been more important.

We have a dynamic community of over one-hundred postgraduate students, who come from all over the world to conduct their research and develop their skills. Research covers the breadth of the biological sciences, and is supported by outstanding research infrastructure in genomics, bioimaging and mass spectrometry, and plant and animal growth facilities. We encourage prospective PhD students to make informal contact with potential supervisors to discuss their interests at an early stage.

Nerve cells derived from human stem cells

At Durham, we provide an outstanding environment for research and education in animal, plant and bacterial biology encompassing expertise from the atomic to whole ecosystem scale. Trained by Durham Biosciences in the skills and knowledge required, our students are able to succeed in a wide range of careers or training environments and help society tackle the challenges for the future.
Professor Martin Cann
Head of Department

Study options

We offer two postgraduate study options:

  • Taught degrees; MSc Biotechnology, and MSc Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise
  • Research degrees; PhD and Masters by Research

  • Taught Degrees

    Join the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs with our MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise or MSc Biotechnology
    Cellular and molecular biology

  • Research Degrees

    Pursue your research interest with either our PhD or Masters by Research

Taught Degrees

Join the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs with our MSc in Plant Biotechnology and Enterprise or MSc Biotechnology
Cellular and molecular biology

Research Degrees

Pursue your research interest with either our PhD or Masters by Research
Find out more about Postgraduate Study in Durham

Student Experience

A place for you

Student stands in front of Durham Cathedral laughing with others at congregation ceremony

Achieve the outstanding with our Inspiring Excellence Scholarship

International students apply now for £5,000 or £10,000 towards postgraduate programme fees.

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Small bird on a hand

Our seminar series

Our Students and Staff enjoy attending and participating in our Departmental Seminar series, covering a wide range of biological topics. The seminars give us more opportunities to share, discover, and join in with lively discussions.

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Our Research

What's new?

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Medetomidine: what you need to know about the animal sedative turning up in opioid deaths

Professor of Pharmacology Paul Chazot explains how a deadly drug started circulating in the US illicit drug market, and what makes it so dangerous.

Research news
White powder in a dish and in a small plastic bag sit on a black surface

Two early career bioscientists will tackle health challenges with prestigious award

Dr Ting-Yu Lin of our Department of Biosciences and Dr Francesco Boselli of our Departments of Biosciences and Engineering have each been granted a Springboard Award to help support their research in biomedical sciences.
Research news
Two Durham University bioscientists pose for portraits

Researchers help protect migratory birds

Researchers from our top-rated Biosciences department in collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), have conducted a study to understand the challenges faced by migratory birds across Europe and Africa.
Research news
Turtle dove on a tree

Tiny changes in gene expression can lead to big differences in eye size

We’re part of an international team of scientists which has discovered that tiny changes in the timing of the expression of a single gene can lead to big differences in eye size.
Global research
A close up of a fly's eye. The is red and you can see the hexagonal components of the eye.

Bacteria evolved to help neighbouring cells after death, new research reveals  

Researchers have made the surprising discovery that a type of gut bacteria has evolved to use one of their enzymes to perform an important function after death. 
Research news
A generated image of bacteria in different shades of blue

Bioscientists achieve major advancement in protein-metal binding research

Researchers from our top-rated Biosciences department have made an exciting discovery that could revolutionise how scientists design and engineer biological systems.
Research news
Protein-metal binding

Driving advances in biosciences

Our Department of Biosciences is making strides in understanding antibiotic resistance, boosted by a prestigious Leverhulme award.
Research news
Computer simulation of a molecule on a black background
More Biosciences News

Medetomidine: what you need to know about the animal sedative turning up in opioid deaths

Professor of Pharmacology Paul Chazot explains how a deadly drug started circulating in the US illicit drug market, and what makes it so dangerous.

White powder in a dish and in a small plastic bag sit on a black surface

Two early career bioscientists will tackle health challenges with prestigious award

Dr Ting-Yu Lin of our Department of Biosciences and Dr Francesco Boselli of our Departments of Biosciences and Engineering have each been granted a Springboard Award to help support their research in biomedical sciences.
Two Durham University bioscientists pose for portraits

Researchers help protect migratory birds

Researchers from our top-rated Biosciences department in collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), have conducted a study to understand the challenges faced by migratory birds across Europe and Africa.
Turtle dove on a tree